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So let me get this straight, we go from volume six which has the the greatest buildup in character development between the siblings, and a cliffhanger with the opportunity to go where everyone is hoping, praying and screaming this will go, and we end up with...

Spoiler:

Kirino, who has finally started to take a semblance of initiative when it comes to her long developing feelings, getting shoved in the corner labeled 'unrequited love' while her 'friend' steps right in front of her and spontaneously claims the prize that Kirino has been fighting for/towards since the beginning.

I mean, seriously, I don't know who got slapped in the face harder with this one, Kirino or the fans. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I really hope this curveballs back on track.

There I believe you are wrong. It is possible that Kyousuke has these feelings, but is simply trying to deny them because he knows that it is right inappropriate.

Honestly, if that were the case, we'd be able to sense the hesitation in his feelings and actions that he performs for Kirino. Kyousuke goes the extra mile for her, that much is for sure, but not once does he stop nor hesitate and go 'what if it's because I love her, as a girl?'

As I said in the spoiler, that happened, and the response he could muster (and not to mention the nice even-handed speech he gave previous to it) was a natural one, nothing restrained nor unusual. Compare that to his reaction in the final pages of the volume: he was going 'doki doki' and blushing and over- exaggerating all over the place.

Quote:

Their relationship is one of the most developed in the series. It's my opinion a Kiri-Kyou ending is not impossible, and maybe even likely.

It is true their relationship is developed (in a familial brother-sister kind of way). It is even true an incest end is still in the cards. It's just not likely from what we've seen up until now.

Kirino, who has finally started to take a semblance of initiative when it comes to her long developing feelings, getting shoved in the corner labeled 'unrequited love' while her 'friend' steps right in front of her and spontaneously claims the prize that Kirino has been fighting for/towards since the beginning.

I mean, seriously, I don't know who got slapped in the face harder with this one, Kirino or the fans. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I really hope this curveballs back on track.

Spoiler:

It was neither 'spontaneous' nor a 'step-in.' As mentioned before, seeing how things turned out this volume, you can definitely trace back to the previous volumes and see the signs clearly. Their relationship has been progressing since that first encounter at the maid cafe/fast food joint back in volume one, took a shifted in high gear when Kirino got out of the picture, and turned into what it is now.

What is 'back on track?' There's been no evidence up until now that this series absolutely had to play out the incest route. The development this volume was not abrupt, its progression very logical. And likewise, Kirino's development of romantic affection also did not really start until the recent volumes, and it was clear her feelings were still confused until this volume, but she had her chance to make a first strike already with that event, she passed on it, and someone else took the initiative and went through with theirs. It has nothing to do with being 'cheated' or 'side-stepped,' she was just beaten by someone who held stronger feelings and conviction, such as how it usually works out in the game of love.

Whether Kirino'll fight back, and what will happen, is the fun that comes with Volume 8.

Because, like it or not, this is still the "Light Novel & Manga Discussion Thread" - manga readers don't necessarily want to know what's coming later in the series.

Furthermore, there might be people wanting to discuss just the translated volumes (so far, there's only one), so pain as it is, we should keep them in mind too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagatob

So let me get this straight, we go from volume six which has the the greatest buildup in character development between the siblings, and a cliffhanger with the opportunity to go where everyone is hoping, praying and screaming this will go...

I've made it through most of 7 (still have to get through the most important part of chap 4, so will be back with my thoughts probably tomorrow) but I'm completely in agreement with winkel.

Spoiler for vol.7:

I'm not actually sure where everyone's getting the impression that Kyosuke has any kind of romantic feelings for Kirino (or Ayase for that matter). The only person he seems to be REALLY seeing as a girl in vol.7 is Kuroneko, and he describes his relationship with her as one that is different from the ones with Kirino and Ayase. The vibe I get from his feelings about Kirino are more of the Ron Weasley towards Ginny type in Harry Potter 6 (using the first analogy that came to mind here).

I'll just say this: there is a BIG difference between reading a book for yourself, and reading summaries and spoilers that are potentially biased in one direction or another. That said, I haven't read the other volumes, only summaries, and I

Spoiler for vol6-7:

really didn't see anything pointing towards a Kirino-Kyosuke end, even with that final insane line of volume 6. (because it is explained away quite well in vol.7, btw)

Anyways, will be back again later. Ah, the author's interview for this release is also quite interesting, so I'll try and translate some of that too.

======

edit: Right...that was insane. There's a lot in that last chapter, so I don't know where to start. I don't really have time to write a detailed summary of the whole book (a certain blog should have it up by the end of the month), but I can post what I wrote about the 4th chapter if anyone wants spoilers...

Oh I might as well point out that I'll be INCREDIBLY pissed if they pull the fake-boyfriend route two volumes in a roll. Of course I know no author would be insane enough to do that but I just want to throw that out there.

———今巻も衝撃的なラストなんですけども、買い物に付き合うとか、そういう意味なんですか？
----This volume ended with a stunning development: it's not something like "going out shopping together" is it?

三木：それじゃ前回とほぼ一緒じゃないですか！（笑）
Miki (editor): That would make it the same as the previous volume! (laugh)

伏見 ：「前回と同じパターン」と思われてしまうのはまずいので、確定させて終わらせました。
Fushimi: It would be bad if people thought "it's the same pattern as last time", so I had it settled before ending it.

Brief summary for 1-3, and detailed summary for 4

Spoiler for vol.07 ch1-3:

NB: Kyosuke spends a lot of the novel wondering
(1) why he's so against Kirino having a BF, and
(2) what his relationship with Kuroneko is like now, one year after they first met...
He seems to have resolved both of these by the end of the novel

ch1

A talent agent who was also a famous former model, Misaki-san, has scouted Kirino and wants her to go overseas. Kirino didn't want to, so she ended up saying she had a BF, which Misaki asked her to prove. Kirino asks Kyosuke to pretend to be her boyfriend. Things wind up such that they go on a date (which Misaki spying on them), and are seen by Manami, Kanako and Bridget, and Kuroneko. The chapter ends with Kirino declaring that "next time, I'll ask my real boyfriend".

ch2

Ayase, who has heard from Manami, calls Kyosuke to her place to get him to explain.
(Towards the end of this encounter, Kyosuke states clearly (in his head) that he thinks that he and Ayase aren't compatible with each other.)

After club activity during the summer (the Game Research society), he has to clear the air with Kuroneko, and comes to a strange realisation that has him at a loss for words at one point (p.113): "There's no way I can say that it's like a boyfriend trying to give excuses to his girlfriend for cheating on her!"

There is also a little segment where Akagi calls him for advice, having ended up in his sister's closet whilst his sister (unawares) is playing ero-games in her room. This has Kyosuke wondering about his relationship with his sister, and about what to make of her declaration at the end of 1st chapter.

ch3

Comiket preparation and the actual event.
LOTS of Kyosuke x Kuroneko hints (I can elaborate if people want)

His relationship with Kirino is compared to Sena and her brother's.
=> and Sena notes that she brought up the boyfriend to make her brother pay more attention to her (i.e. be more concerned about what she is doing). Kyosuke seems to think that this is probably what Kirino was doing.

The maid from the previous comiket...drew a BrotherxSister doujinshi with Kyosuke and Kirino as inspiration...LOL Can't wait to see Kyosuke's reaction animated!

Spoiler for summary for vol.7ch4:

ch4

Still at comiket, they meet Mikagami Kouki, who turns out to be someone Kirino knows from work.

Kyosuke's reaction to Mikagami is interesting:
- At first, he's worried because it seems like a repeat of the previous comiket
- Then, it turns to jealousy because Mikagami is the same age as him, but is a successful jewelery designer
- Finally, after seeing them go crazy with otaku-talk, he reflects that perhaps Mikagami is someone who can take his place in Kirino's otaku life.

And the last one is what Kuroneko guesses when they walk home together the next day. Which Kyosuke does not deny. Their first important talk occurs here (they touch on the "curse" and Kyosuke asks again "Do you like me?"), with them standing outside the Kousaka house.

Kirino interrupts them in the middle of it (giving Kyosuke a huge shock), wondering what they're doing outside. Kuroneko decides to finish what she wanted to say (she basically told Kyosuke that, after learning from someone, she's going to try and get what she wants, even though she knows that getting one thing may lose her the other).

They go inside for the party to celebrate a successful comiket, but the atmosphere between Kirino, Kyosuke and Kuroneko is incredibly bad. Kyosuke doesn't know what to say - he doesn't seem to understand it himself - when Saori asks about it...but she somehow manages to salvage the situation a bit...

...until Kirino declares that she has something to say, which turns out to be "Mikagami is my boyfriend."

Kuroneko snaps and leaves. Kyosuke decides to follow up on Kirino's declaration instead of going after Kuroneko (it's suggested that he's wondering why Kirino chose this moment to make this declaration, but he just asks "what is this about? This "going out with Mikagami" thing etc)

Kirino snaps at him and runs off to her room...

Kyosuke promises Saori that he'll try and fix things, but has absolutely no confidence in doing so. (This scene would be for the Kyosuke x Saori shippers, if there are any)

And Kirino brings Mikagami home the next day.

Kyosuke's pissed, but doesn't know why. His mum and Kirino kick him out of the living room after he is rude to Mikagami. After consulting his father, Kyosuke figures that they feel the same way (and this while he has to defend Mikagami, whom his father is just completely against): that he doesn't want to hand his sister over to anyone.

The reason he ends up giving is that, no matter what his relationship with her is like (he thinks she still hates him/thinks he's stupid etc), he's worried because she's his sister. She's his precious sister, and he doesn't want anyone else to take her away unless that person can prove that he cares for Kirino more than Kyosuke does.

Kirino breaks down and starts sobbing and yelling at him ("Why now, why so late!?" and "how can you say that when you always hang out with that plain girl and the black one?!"), leading up to "It was a lie! Everything was a lie!"

Mikagami confirms that it was a lie, that Kirino asked him to pretend to be her boyfriend, probably because she wanted her brother to be more aware of her.

Which Kirino denies...though she has difficulty saying what she wants. So Kyosuke tells her not to worry about it if she can't.

Their mum walks in at this point (she'd left to buy something), resulting in the misunderstanding "Are you finally making a move on your sister!" In the explanation that follows, we find out that Mikagami
(1) has been asked by Misaki to break the relationship between the siblings - yeah, she realised they were siblings because of the incredibly bad acting - and
(2) is in love with a 2D character...

Kirino makes up with and has a long talk (over the phone) with Kuroneko. The celebration party is re-scheduled for the day after next.

But the day after the phone call (the day before the party), Kuroneko calls Kyosuke out to "the place of the promise" and confesses formally.

=>この告白から数日後ー
俺と黒猫は、恋人になった。

Several days after this confession...
Kuroneko and I started going out.

Thank you for the summary, karice67. It will satisfy me for now until my otoutos have sent the book.

Spoiler for My Thoughts on Volume 7:

I can sympathize with Kirino. I'm still not sure how far Kirino has gone into with her love for Kyousuke (either it's just sibling or sexual love), but the way she tries to gain his attention.... I've actually tried that against my fiance when we were in middle school.

Gah So this pretty much all but confirms that Kirino is a bro-con? I don't see Kuroneko-Kyosuke lasting though, seems like more of a plot device for a big confrontation. Manami may or may not take this lying down. Kirino will go emo. Ayase intervenes.

Also lol @

Quote:

Originally Posted by karice67

Their mum walks in at this point (she'd left to buy something), resulting in the misunderstanding "Are you finally making a move on your sister!"

Yeah, I do agree with most of you that Kyousuke x Kuroneko has the biggest chance to work at the moment.

The only person who will be able to come between them at this point will be Kirino, in my opinion. Since I do think that Kyousuke will be confronted more with Kirino's feelings in the next novel. Will he eventually realize that he feels more for her than he initially thought or does he really want to be with Kuroneko.

Spoiler for A possible Kyousuke x Kirino scenario:

Kirino will distance herself from Kyousuke because he's dating with Kuroneko. She'll use this opportunity to find out what she really wants and this gives Kyousuke the time to find out as well.

Kirino feels like she went to far with her feelings for her brother and wants to get rid of said feelings and move on with her life, but she starts to feel more and more depressed as time goes on. Her friends (especially Ayase) begin to notice.

Kyousuke realizes that he is happy with Kuroneko and hopes that his sister will get over him and move on. Becoming closer than brother/sister just isn't an option for him. It wouldn't be a normal and healthy relationship. Even thinking about it is supposed to be filthy....

He starts thinking about her a lot though and begins to feel like he's missing something. (You only realize what's you've been missing out on after you lost it) This feeling of emptiness increases more and more as time moves on. Kuroneko begins to notice as well but she keeps quiet about it.

Both Kyousuke and Kirino realize what causes their depression, but neither of them wants to confront the other with said feelings and try to continue on with their respective lives, even though they're not honest with themselves.

In the end, their friends (Kuroneko, Manami and Ayase) push Kyousuke and Kirino to be honest with their selves. Kyousuke decides to go for it, while Kirino hesitates and doesn't want to burden her brother anymore.

Kirino and Kyousuke confront each other and tell each other about their feelings. His feelings surprise her but she tries to push him away, because even if he wants to accept her feelings, other people wouldn't think it would be proper to get into such a relationship.

Kyousuke then tells her that it's the same as what happened with her hobby (loving ero games/manga/anime). She tries to be secretive about her feelings because she's afraid of what other people might think about it and in the end isn't honest with herself.

He then goes on by saying that doesn't care about what other people think and that he wants to be honest with himself from now on. That he'll find a way to make people understand about them, just like he managed to help people understand about Kirino's hobby/feelings.

Kyousuke manages to persuade Kirino and they become a couple. Both know that it will take some effort and time to make people understand and that there will be enough problems/obstacles along the way, but they're willing to go all the way.

And the novels after that could expand on these problems.

Anyways, we'll just have to wait for novel 8 to find out which way the author will go. Personally I'm hoping for Kysouke x Kiriono, but I wouldn't mind Kyousuke x Kuroneko either.

Kirino will distance herself from Kyousuke because he's dating with Kuroneko. She'll use this opportunity to find out what she really wants and this gives Kyousuke the time to find out as well.

Kirino feels like she went to far with her feelings for her brother and wants to get rid of said feelings and move on with her life, but she starts to feel more and more depressed as time goes on. Her friends (especially Ayase) begin to notice.

Kyousuke realizes that he is happy with Kuroneko and hopes that his sister will get over him and move on. Becoming closer than brother/sister just isn't an option for him. It wouldn't be a normal and healthy relationship. Even thinking about it is supposed to be filthy....

He starts thinking about her a lot though and begins to feel like he's missing something. (You only realize what's you've been missing out on after you lost it) This feeling of emptiness increases more and more as time moves on. Kuroneko begins to notice as well but she keeps quiet about it.

Both Kyousuke and Kirino realize what causes their depression, but neither of them wants to confront the other with said feelings and try to continue on with their respective lives, even though they're not honest with themselves.

In the end, their friends (Kuroneko, Manami and Ayase) push Kyousuke and Kirino to be honest with their selves. Kyousuke decides to go for it, while Kirino hesitates and doesn't want to burden her brother anymore.

Kirino and Kyousuke confront each other and tell each other about their feelings. His feelings surprise her but she tries to push him away, because even if he wants to accept her feelings, other people wouldn't think it would be proper to get into such a relationship.

Kyousuke then tells her that it's the same as what happened with her hobby (loving ero games/manga/anime). She tries to be secretive about her feelings because she's afraid of what other people might think about it and in the end isn't honest with herself.

He then goes on by saying that doesn't care about what other people think and that he wants to be honest with himself from now on. That he'll find a way to make people understand about them, just like he managed to help people understand about Kirino's hobby/feelings.

Kyousuke manages to persuade Kirino and they become a couple. Both know that it will take some effort and time to make people understand and that there will be enough problems/obstacles along the way, but they're willing to go all the way.

And the novels after that could expand on these problems.

That seems like your standard 'tragic 3rd heroine love triangle."

Spoiler for My Thoughts on Why it won't work:

That is not Kirino's personality. She's not going to idly go off to the side and let Kyousuke move on without resolution. Otherwise the drama that happened this volume would have never occurred.

Make no mistake, if Kirino is really a bro-con (and this volume pretty much suggests she is) she will not take Kuroneko's conquest lightly. Whether they already had their fight, and had come to terms with each other behind the scenes this volume (we still don't know what that phone chat was about) or whether the final battle is yet to come, there will be a battle.

The resolution will not come from Kyousuke 'finding his true feelings' because he has already established his feelings for all the characters. Suddenly turning into a siscon and 'realizing his feelings' after the major event this volume instead of during it would be a cop-out and an unnatural progression. Kirino pretty much laid bare her stance, and he is aware of it. He made his choice. The question now is how hard Kirino will fight in light of Kuroneko's sudden development to convince him otherwise. Not him suddenly realizing his feelings because he already knows them, but Kirino forcing them to change into falling for her.

That is not Kirino's personality. She's not going to idly go off to the side and let Kyousuke move on without resolution. Otherwise the drama that happened this volume would have never occurred.

Make no mistake, if Kirino is really a bro-con (and this volume pretty much suggests she is) she will not take Kuroneko's conquest lightly. Whether they already had their fight, and had come to terms with each other behind the scenes this volume (we still don't know what that phone chat was about) or whether the final battle is yet to come, there will be a battle.

The resolution will not come from Kyousuke 'finding his true feelings' because he has already established his feelings for all the characters. Suddenly turning into a siscon and 'realizing his feelings' after the major event this volume instead of during it would be a cop-out and an unnatural progression. Kirino pretty much laid bare her stance, and he is aware of it. He made his choice. The question now is how hard Kirino will fight in light of Kuroneko's sudden development to convince him otherwise. Not him suddenly realizing his feelings because he already knows them, but Kirino forcing them to change into falling for her.

Spoiler for response:

Yeah, it was just a scenario I came up with, but just like you said, Kirino really isn't the type of person to just stand back and wait for something to happen. She'll fight for her goal.

Now I wonder if she and Kuroneko made some kind of agreement on the phone before the battle begins. Like 'we'll both fight our hardest to win him over and may the best girl win in the end.' It would be in character for the two friends. One last battle will decide who wins it all. It looks like Kuroneko has taken the lead though, so let's see how Kirino will deal with this big blow.

I'd really like to know what they talked about on the phone. It would predicting stuff much easier

And personally I'm not completely convinced yet about Kyousuke's feelings for Kirino. It's like he won't let himself think that way (becoming bf/gf instead of just brother/sister) and that might cloud his judgement a bit. If Kirino really starts fighting for him in the next novel (and maybe after some advice from Kuroneko/Manami/Saori/Ayase), I wonder if he'll be more open to the idea.

I like a good incest story as much as the next person (hell, I just wrote a 10 page paper for school about how there's no reason for incest to remain taboo), but I never saw the possibility of an incest end for this series. I think Kirino set the record straight in the first novel: the idea of 3D incest disgusted her.

I see her behaviour towards Kyousuke as merely a sister desperate for her brother's attention. Though she won't admit it she likes all the attention and consideration he gives her now and doesn't want to lose it. Check out the Kirino thread for my theory as to the cause.

I suppose you could still call her a bro-con and it may be a bit unhealthy but I don't think she has romantic feelings for Kyousuke. Even if she did, he certainly doesn't. This series was never marketed as a forbidden romance between siblings, but rather as two siblings reconnecting as family after being so distant. I have to wonder how people would view their relationship if Kirino's obsession wasn't incest eroge. That fact certainly polarized the series.

Spoiler for As for volume 7:

Anyone who didn't think Kirino's words at the end of volume 6 was leading to a faux-boyfriend senario, they fail at genre saavyness That was obviously going to be the case the moment she said it.

I think the Kyousuke/Ruri twist at the end of volume 7 is an interesting development. I certainly approve of this pairing and it would be nice to see them last. Ruri doesn't seem the type to beat around the bush, so the moment she was sure of her feelings she took action to get what she wanted. Good on her.

Kyousuke's decision to go out with her is what I'm really curious about. I'm sure the next novel will elaborate on his decision, especially in the light of how he told Manami that he'd reject a girl who confessed to him because he wanted to keep things the way they were. But I suppose that's something that has change over time, as he seemed quite content with how things had changed for him.

Kirino definitely isn't going to take this sitting down, so it'll be interesting to see how she handles it, especially after this fake boyfriend business she subjected Kyousuke too. Though admittantly I care more about Manami's reaction. Poor girl

I suppose now's a good time as any to post my thoughts on the potential pairings...

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00-Raiser

I suppose you could still call her a bro-con and it may be a bit unhealthy but I don't think she has romantic feelings for Kyousuke. Even if she did, he certainly doesn't. This series was never marketed as a forbidden romance between siblings, but rather as two siblings reconnecting as family after being so distant. I have to wonder how people would view their relationship if Kirino's obsession wasn't incest eroge. That fact certainly polarized the series.

QFT. That's the impression I'm getting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00-Raiser

Spoiler for As for volume 7:

Kyousuke's decision to go out with her is what I'm really curious about. I'm sure the next novel will elaborate on his decision, especially in the light of how he told Manami that he'd reject a girl who confessed to him because he wanted to keep things the way they were. But I suppose that's something that has change over time, as he seemed quite content with how things had changed for him.

Kirino definitely isn't going to take this sitting down, so it'll be interesting to see how she handles it, especially after this fake boyfriend business she subjected Kyousuke too. though admittantly I care more about Manami's reaction. Poor girl

Spoiler for vol.7 - thoughts on the pairings:

Kyousuke doesn't need to explain his decision, as far as I'm concerned. I could see it coming a mile away, right from the time Kuroneko spotted them on the date in chapter 1.

Kyousuke x Kuroneko

Kyousuke pays a lot of attention to Kuroneko in chapter 3, calling her cute, noticing when she wears contacts or not etc (p.142-3)

During preparation, Kyousuke mentions that he would like to see Kuroneko in casual wear other than her Gothic Lolita stuff. As a result, Kuroneko goes to comiket in a white one-piece that Kirino helped her pick out the week before...and Kyousuke can't stop thinking how cute she is. (NB: this white one-piece and straw hat outfit is something that the main characters of Kirino's favourite games wear quite often...)

(ch4) Kyousuke buys a necklace for Kuroneko
"because it'll be troublesome for you to carry around lots of change, right?)

The important scenes between these two are incredibly cute. We don't know what Kuroneko's thinking during these scenes, of course, but Kyousuke is often flustered and confused by what she says and does.

Kuroneko definitely likes Kyousuke. The reason she called him out in volume 5 was probably to confess...but Kirino's return made her consider whether she could bear losing her friend if she pursued a relationship with Kyousuke. In the first heart-felt scene with him, she clearly declared that she was going to do her best to keep both.

Kyousuke x Kirino (i.e. the incest route)

I really don't see it. His feelings for Kirino seem to be somewhat like Ron Weasley's regarding his sister, Ginny, in The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince, but he also gets really irritated when he feels like he's being looked down upon or compared to others. He really is a siscon, but I don't sense any romantic feelings at all (the comparison is the Akagi siblings, and I don't sense any romantic feelings there either - though I'll have to read the other volumes to check). Of course, Harry felt something similar and tried to put it off as brotherly feelings...

We don't know what Kirino feels, except that she does want Kyousuke to be more concerned about/pay more attention to her. The reason is unknown at present, but it's clear that she doesn't hate Kyousuke, despite how much she bullies and puts him down. Clear brocon.

Kyousuke x Ayase

Just about impossible after that what Kyousuke thought in chapter 2.

Kyousuke x Saori

After that scene in chapter 4, I really wonder if something could have happened had they both decided to pursue it!

Kyousuke x Manami

Based on this volume (she appears only once and apparently passed the baton on to Ayase, even though Kyousuke studied with her whilst preparing for comiket! p.155), she's out of the picture. But I guess I wouldn't count on her being down for the count.

=====

Finally, I don't know if he's ever said it before, but Fushimi Tsukasa (the author) doesn't like Kirino at all.

(In the interview, they're talking about the game and the routes that will be possible)

Spoiler for length and vol.6 spoilers:

=> ———沙織の正体が判明されましたが、ifの可能性として京介と沙織ルートはあるのでしょうか？
----Saori's real self has been revealed: is it possible that Kyousuke will have a Saori route in the game?

伏見：秘密です（笑）Fushimi: That's a secret (laugh)

三木：伏見さんが『俺の妹』のキャラの中で好きなのは沙織って言っていませんでしたっけ？Miki: Fushimi-san, you've said before that Saori is your favourite "Ore no Imouto" character, right?

伏見：そうですね。お気に入りではありますけれど、自分の好き嫌いでひいきはしません。一番出番の多い桐乃は、いまだに大嫌いです。Fushimi: Right, I did. She's my favourite, but I don't favour characters by who I like and don't like. After all, the character with the most appearances, Kirino, is still someone I really hate.

———まだ!?（笑） あれだけデレるようになったのに、まだやっぱりムカつく女なんですね。
-----Still!? (laugh) Even though she's become a bit more "dere", she really is someone who pisses you off, huh?

伏見：腹立つくそがきだと思っています。私が桐乃のことを好きになるときは、『俺の妹』が終わる時かもしれない です。Fushimi: I think she's an annoying spoiled brat. The time I come to like Kirino may be the time that "Ore no Imouto" ends.

一同：おおー！！Everyone: Right--!!

Also, he didn't plan everything right from the start:

———桐乃が初期からだいぶデレていますが、今の二人の関係性の変化は予想されていましたか？
----Kirino has really become more "dere" compared to the initial stage: did you anticipate the change in the siblings' relationship from the start?

伏見：初期段階ではまったくしていませんでした。１巻で終わると思っていましたし。２巻を書いていたときは２巻 で終わると思っていました。３巻を書いているときは４巻で終わると思っていました。私の中ではっきり変わっ たのは、４巻ラストの展開について激しく話し合ったときで、「やべぇ！ この話はまだまだ続くぞ、どうしよ う」と。ストーリーをある程度先まで考えて決めたのも、そのときです。Fushimi: At the start, I really hadn't thought of it. At first, I thought I'd end with one volume. When writing the second, I thought it'd end at 2. When writing 3, I thought we'd finish with 4. The time everything changed was at the intense meeting after the end of 4, I realised "Yikes! This story is still continuing! What should I do?" That was when I started thinking a little about what would happen in the future.

Kyousuke doesn't need to explain his decision, as far as I'm concerned. I could see it coming a mile away, right from the time Kuroneko spotted them on the date in chapter 1.

Kyousuke x Kuroneko

Kyousuke pays a lot of attention to Kuroneko in chapter 2, calling her cute, noticing when she wears contacts or not etc (p.142-3)

During preparation, Kyousuke mentions that he would like to see Kuroneko in casual wear other than her Gothic Lolita stuff. As a result, Kuroneko goes to comiket in a white one-piece that Kirino helped her pick out the week before...and Kyousuke can't stop thinking how cute she is.

(ch4) Kyousuke buys a necklace for Kuroneko
"because it'll be troublesome for you to carry around lots of change, right?)

The important scenes between these two are incredibly cute. We don't know what Kuroneko's thinking, of course, but Kyousuke is often flustered and confused by what she says and does.

Kuroneko definitely likes Kyousuke. The reason she called him out in volume 5 was probably to confess...but Kirino's return made her consider whether she could bear losing her friend if she pursued a relationship with Kyousuke. In the first heart-felt scene with him, she clearly declared that she was going to do her best to keep both.

Spoiler for reply:

Well, I think rather than explaining his decision, I'd still like to see how he views the situation. Is he absolutely amazed at the unexpected turn of events? Is he going out with her because he discovered he felt the same way about her, or did he agree to see if he could feel the same way? Did he not reject her and is going out with her because he didn't want to hurt her? Of course it'll be forever before I find out since I can't read japanese

From the summaries I've read the development between the two sounds satisfying enough for me. If Kyousuke isn't going to be with Manami, Ruri is an excellent alternative.

Though you mention how Kyousuke keeps thinking how cute she is. It's possible this is because Kyousuke is the narrarator. The only way for the author to give his readers a good image of what Ruri looks like, Kyousuke is the one who has to tell us. Of course if he spends more time describing her than the others girls, well...

Quote:

Originally Posted by karice67

Finally, I don't know if he's ever said it before, but Fushimi Tsukasa (the author) doesn't like Kirino at all.

Heh? Really? I don't blame him. Well props to him for not letting his preferences affect his storytelling. Though if it results in something like what happened with Yuki, I won't complain!

Yeah, I do agree with most of you that Kyousuke x Kuroneko has the biggest chance to work at the moment.

The only person who will be able to come between them at this point will be Kirino, in my opinion. Since I do think that Kyousuke will be confronted more with Kirino's feelings in the next novel. Will he eventually realize that he feels more for her than he initially thought or does he really want to be with Kuroneko.

Spoiler for A possible Kyousuke x Kirino scenario:

Kirino will distance herself from Kyousuke because he's dating with Kuroneko. She'll use this opportunity to find out what she really wants and this gives Kyousuke the time to find out as well.

Kirino feels like she went to far with her feelings for her brother and wants to get rid of said feelings and move on with her life, but she starts to feel more and more depressed as time goes on. Her friends (especially Ayase) begin to notice.

Kyousuke realizes that he is happy with Kuroneko and hopes that his sister will get over him and move on. Becoming closer than brother/sister just isn't an option for him. It wouldn't be a normal and healthy relationship. Even thinking about it is supposed to be filthy....

He starts thinking about her a lot though and begins to feel like he's missing something. (You only realize what's you've been missing out on after you lost it) This feeling of emptiness increases more and more as time moves on. Kuroneko begins to notice as well but she keeps quiet about it.

Both Kyousuke and Kirino realize what causes their depression, but neither of them wants to confront the other with said feelings and try to continue on with their respective lives, even though they're not honest with themselves.

In the end, their friends (Kuroneko, Manami and Ayase) push Kyousuke and Kirino to be honest with their selves. Kyousuke decides to go for it, while Kirino hesitates and doesn't want to burden her brother anymore.

Kirino and Kyousuke confront each other and tell each other about their feelings. His feelings surprise her but she tries to push him away, because even if he wants to accept her feelings, other people wouldn't think it would be proper to get into such a relationship.

Kyousuke then tells her that it's the same as what happened with her hobby (loving ero games/manga/anime). She tries to be secretive about her feelings because she's afraid of what other people might think about it and in the end isn't honest with herself.

He then goes on by saying that doesn't care about what other people think and that he wants to be honest with himself from now on. That he'll find a way to make people understand about them, just like he managed to help people understand about Kirino's hobby/feelings.

Kyousuke manages to persuade Kirino and they become a couple. Both know that it will take some effort and time to make people understand and that there will be enough problems/obstacles along the way, but they're willing to go all the way.

And the novels after that could expand on these problems.

Anyways, we'll just have to wait for novel 8 to find out which way the author will go. Personally I'm hoping for Kysouke x Kiriono, but I wouldn't mind Kyousuke x Kuroneko either.

I like the parallel with her hobby. Perfect argument if he goes that route.

I've actually tried that against my fiance when we were in middle school.

Spoiler for response:

!!! you actually asked someone to pretend to be your boyfriend?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xacual

Spoiler for Novel 7 + 8 Speculation:

Is that how novel 7 ended with Kuroneko confessing and then a short time skip and they are going out? If so then I can see Novel 8 being about the missing days at least at first.

Spoiler for response - vol.8 speculation:

That's what I'm thinking too. And I bet the celebration party the day after the confession (and thus, apparently before Kyousuke accepts) is going to be awkward!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by winkel

Spoiler for My Thoughts on Why it won't work:

That is not Kirino's personality. She's not going to idly go off to the side and let Kyousuke move on without resolution. Otherwise the drama that happened this volume would have never occurred.

Make no mistake, if Kirino is really a bro-con (and this volume pretty much suggests she is) she will not take Kuroneko's conquest lightly. Whether they already had their fight, and had come to terms with each other behind the scenes this volume (we still don't know what that phone chat was about) or whether the final battle is yet to come, there will be a battle.

The resolution will not come from Kyousuke 'finding his true feelings' because he has already established his feelings for all the characters. Suddenly turning into a siscon and 'realizing his feelings' after the major event this volume instead of during it would be a cop-out and an unnatural progression. Kirino pretty much laid bare her stance, and he is aware of it. He made his choice. The question now is how hard Kirino will fight in light of Kuroneko's sudden development to convince him otherwise. Not him suddenly realizing his feelings because he already knows them, but Kirino forcing them to change into falling for her.

Spoiler for response:

I completely agree. Except perhaps about whether he really knows her stance...I have the feeling we'll be seeing more of that before the story ends.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00-Raiser

Spoiler for reply:

Well, I think rather than explaining his decision, I'd still like to see how he views the situation. Is he absolutely amazed at the unexpected turn of events? Is he going out with her because he discovered he felt the same way about her, or did he agree to see if he could feel the same way? Did he not reject her and is going out with her because he didn't want to hurt her? Of course it'll be forever before I find out since I can't read japanese

From the summaries I've read the development between the two sounds satisfying enough for me. If Kyousuke isn't going to be with Manami, Ruri is an excellent alternative.

Though you mention how Kyousuke keeps thinking how cute she is. It's possible this is because Kyousuke is the narrarator. The only way for the author to give his readers a good image of what Ruri looks like, Kyousuke is the one who has to tell us. Of course if he spends more time describing her than the others girls, well...

Spoiler for response:

His reaction will probably be in vol.08 (see above), but I would say that he is DEFINITELY interested in her romantically. His reactions to her throughout the volume scream it.

He describes the others as well, to some extent. It was the way he describes them that struck me: with Kirino, he's always getting annoyed at how she treats him (it's almost as if Fushimi-sense is writing himself into Kyousuke); with Ayase and Saori, he reflects on what could have been - he's quite curious about what it'd be like if Saori chose to use her ojou-sama persona with them more - and he's quite in awe of her leadership abilities; with Kuroneko, besides focusing on how cute she is, he consciously or unconsciously keeps referring to her voice as "gentle", and refers to her as a "precious underclassman".

Oh, and he also notes that they're all like little sisters to him in one way or another.

Kyousuke x Kirino is about as well developed as (or even more than) Kyousuke x Kuroneko at this point, even though I like the latter better. The mangaka's shortsighted approach to the series and it's expected long storyline really don't lend too much evidence for the final pairings from just vol 7's development, but the seeds are currently there for it to go either way. Kyosuke's a masochistic siscon who cares for his sister more than he'd like to admit, and Kirino's a tsundere brocon who probably has legitimate feelings for him (Christmas love hotel visit, fake date).

I'm with winkel in expecting Kirino to use desperation moves in the next vol, and I'm really curious (and skeptical) of whether it will work and how the situation will resolve. Kyosuke managed to misread Kirino's behavior at the start of the story for hate, but it's been hinted she was probably just resentful for some unexplained distancing between them (maybe Manami?). I'd expect to see a flashback or elaboration on that in the next volume. Though, I think the distancing itself suggests Kyousuke's natural inclinations towards familial love for Kirino. So Kirino's reaction will really be at conflict with both Kyosuke's natural goal for his relationship with Kirino and with her rival Kuroneko.